Thursday, August 2, 2007

Yo were a great band with a terrific singer whose voice nevertheless annoyed a great many people. And though he meant well, their publicist seemed to annoy everyone else. So Yo were, well, widely reviled, despite 3 great 12"s. They beat the sophomore slump with Charm World, their best LP and (fortunately for you) still a bargain-bin staple. Bruce and Sally are still performing in El Sob.Onstage or in conversation, Yo displays a refreshingly down to earth attitude about life, themselves, and the music business. Based in the suburbs of the East Bay, they have with hard work and tenacity put out three self-produced albums in three years and recently have started to achieve headliner status in the clubs. A cynic's eye for the human condition paired with musical playfulness from bagpipes to sea chanteys has kept the audience growing. They are: Sally Engelfried, bass; Greg Baker, drums; the new members Paul Bayman, saxophones and clarinet; Tom Blaylock, guitars, mandolin, and banjo; and Cheap Trick fan Bruce Rayburn, lyrics, vocals, and guitar. They are the only band I've ever met who practice in an upstairs bedroom whose neighbors don't mind.

By Curt Gray and Julia Williams

Those great lost gems were posted about a year ago by me in TwilightZone blog. Links are dead and i think these should be posted here.Great "college" early 80s new wave/post punk,with much comparisons to early REM,Fleshtones,etc.,except this very exceptional voice.Anyway,for those who know these are great records.

Not weak at all. Even if it was I couldn't ever bring myself to be critical -- this place is practically a vault filled with overlooked music and I thank you. Anyway, i've been looking for these albums for ever. Thanks a lot!

I realize I am commenting 2-1/2 years late, but fuck that guy/gal who said you were "weak". I am a long time music fan, and I thought I knew a little something about underground music. Your blog BLOWS ME AWAY, and blows a hundred other blogs away also.

I am new to these audio blogs, and Mutant Sounds was one of the first I had found, covering the essential weirdo stuff I never thought I'd run across in any digital format.

That y'all are diverse enough to have bands like YO included just enhances your already stellar reputation. Please continue following your whims and post whatever you want.

Anonymous: your "not very good" comment is weak itself... I saw Yo open for Let's Active at the Palace in Hollywood...I can still remember wanting Yo to come back on during Mitch Easter's set; Yo's set was stunning and powerful Thanks for the posts; I have these on vinyl only.

Yo are the most criminally underrated band of all time bar none. I have playing these albums over and over for 6 months now and had forgotten just how awesome they are. I think it is time for a Yo remastered/revamped/extra tracks box set to be released simultaneously with a reunion tour.... this stuff should not get lost in time... well one can dream :) - unfortunately my other dream of the MC5 reforming requires resurrections from the dead, so Yo is all I have left!!!

I remember buying "Charm World" when it came out on import here in England inthe mid-80's and being moved to write to Bruce who kindly wrote back. Charm World and Once in a Blue Moon are great records.His vocals are an acquired taste but those with taste appreciate them. Power pop punk folk in excelsis. God bless YO.Shaun, London x

I love YO - I remember buying "Charm World" when it came out in the mid-80's on import here in England and being knocked out and sufficiently moved to write to Bruce who kindly wrote back (ah to be 16 again!). "Charm World" and Once In A Blue Moon" are both great records and deserved wider recognition. The vocals are fine. The songs are power pop punk folk in excelsis. God bless YO.

As for the time being i'm searching for resource material i would appreciate any scans or photocopies of late 70's/early 80s fanzines on experimental/industrial/punk/DIY stuff.Especially i would appreciate photocopied issues of:AURA,FACE OUT,FOOLS MATE(******) NEWSTYLE(esp.Nr 10)ATEM magazine,AUDION magazine,Grohinga Well(or something like that,Belgian magazine).If you can provide any of this stuff please contact me.